Charles Krauthammer: John Kerry should have stayed home

5:08 PM,
Aug. 1, 2014

Written by

Charles Krauthammer

John Kerry is upset by heavy criticism from Israelis - left, right and center - of his recent cease-fire diplomacy. But that's only half the story. More significant is the consternation of America's Arab partners, starting with the president of the Palestinian Authority. Mahmoud Abbas was stunned that Kerry would fly off to Paris to negotiate with Hamas allies Qatar and Turkey in talks that excluded the PA and Egypt.

The talks also undermined Egypt's cease-fire proposal, which Israel had accepted and Hamas rejected. "Kerry tried through his latest plan to destroy the Egyptian bid," ...